How should consent and confidentiality be managed when working with minors in art therapy?

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Multiple Choice

How should consent and confidentiality be managed when working with minors in art therapy?

Working with minors requires a careful balance of parental consent, the child’s assent, and clear boundaries about confidentiality. Secure informed consent from a parent or guardian and simultaneously obtain the child’s voluntary assent, inviting them to participate and express preferences appropriate to their age and development. From the outset, discuss what information will be kept confidential and what must be shared (for example, safety concerns, abuse, or mandated reporting). This helps the minor understand the limits of privacy and fosters trust. As therapy progresses, involve the minor in decisions about goals and disclosures as appropriate to their level of autonomy. Document and periodically revisit consent, assent, and confidentiality plans, and be mindful of how access to records may differ for a minor versus a guardian, recognizing that autonomy typically evolves over time. This approach respects legal and ethical requirements while supporting the minor’s growing sense of agency in the therapeutic process.

Working with minors requires a careful balance of parental consent, the child’s assent, and clear boundaries about confidentiality. Secure informed consent from a parent or guardian and simultaneously obtain the child’s voluntary assent, inviting them to participate and express preferences appropriate to their age and development. From the outset, discuss what information will be kept confidential and what must be shared (for example, safety concerns, abuse, or mandated reporting). This helps the minor understand the limits of privacy and fosters trust.

As therapy progresses, involve the minor in decisions about goals and disclosures as appropriate to their level of autonomy. Document and periodically revisit consent, assent, and confidentiality plans, and be mindful of how access to records may differ for a minor versus a guardian, recognizing that autonomy typically evolves over time. This approach respects legal and ethical requirements while supporting the minor’s growing sense of agency in the therapeutic process.

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